Journal Staff Report
MORIARTY  Moriarty's old Zia Bowl may be converted into a cigarette factory in the next couple of months.
The Moriarty City Council agreed at a meeting last month that making cigarettes in the old bowling alley across from the Moriarty Civic Center is an allowable use for the property.
Myra Pancrazio, executive director of the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, said Native Trading Associates, a company owned by the Mohawk Nation Territory in New York state, has leased the building to manufacture Native brand cigarettes.
"I think this will benefit economic development in Moriarty," Pancrazio said.
The company plans to hire up to 20 people when operations start. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives has to approve the company's plans before manufacturing can begin, Pancrazio said; that could take several months.
After several months of operation, Pancrazio said, the company will employ up to 60 people.